THE number of UK post offices has been cut from 22,000 to 14,000 - and the latest threat could affect thousands of sub-post offices across the country.

Cheshire could face a huge cull if subsidies are removed in 2008 under Government proposals.

Considered the lifeblood of rural communities, post office branches have been the hub of suburbs, villages and hamlets alike, acting as a post facility, a pension collection point, a corner shop and much more.

Malcolm Bullough, a committee member of Postwatch, fears the days are numbered for the humble post office.

He said: 'I think the future will be rather dismal because the Post Office has had so many services removed from it, which is a problem as they have a strong social role.

'I think as an institution it will change with technological advances. If people really want to keep this as a central part of their community, they have two choices - use it or lose it.'

Many post offices across Cheshire signed their own petitions against subsidy removal which across the UK amounted to four million signatures.

One postmaster said: 'Instead of taking away the services from us, the Government should be giving us more services and then people will come to us and use the post office as they once did.' The dual threat of subsidy removal and phasing out of Post Office card accounts could put the sword to hundreds of local outlets.

County councillor David Rowlands said: 'My worries are twofold about stopping such a well-regarded scheme as card accounts.

'Firstly, it is very popular with older people who use it as a basic savings account with payments such as social security benefits and pensions paid directly into them.

'Secondly, if such monies are paid instead direct into bank accounts, this would weaken our remaining post office network.

'Indeed, the move could lead to more post office closures - not just in Cheshire but across the country and not just in their hundreds but thousands.

'It must never be forgotten that the local post office has a valuable social role in rural and urban communities.'

Conservative spokesman Paul Offer said: 'Thousands of post offices will be affected by the Government's likely withdrawal of subsidies, despite the fact many post offices are struggling because the Government has taken away key contracts such as paying pensions and benefits.

'The post office network needs a secure future and this can only be achieved through new business.'